The Mariners announced that infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor has been selected to the roster. He will take the active roster spot of infielder/outfielder Dylan Moore, who has been placed on the 10-day injured list. The IL placement, which is retroactive to April 26th, is due to right hip inflammation. To open a 40-man spot for Taylor, right-hander Gregory Santos has been transferred to the 60-day IL.
Moore has been out to a red-hot start this year, with a .286/.346/.557 line to this point while bouncing around to all four infield spots and right field. He earned American League Player of the Week honors for the week of April 14th to 20th. It seems this hip issue will put that on pause. He hasn’t played since Friday, which is why the M’s were able to backdate his IL placement. The club hasn’t provided any updates but it’s possible he could rejoin them in a week if he just needs a bit of rest.
For now, Taylor will come up and take his spot. Like Moore, he’s capable of bouncing around the diamond. In the big leagues, he has experience at second base, third base, center field and left field. He has also played some shortstop in the minors, though not this year.
Offensively, he has hit just .215/.288/.277 in his 74 big league plate appearances, but with much better numbers on the farm. Dating back to the start of 2022, he has stepped to the plate 1,392 times at the Triple-A level with a .277/.371/.427 line and 108 wRC+. That includes a strong .321/.389/.560 showing so far this year. Speed is also a big part of Taylor’s game. He has stolen at least 23 bases in each minor league season dating back to 2018, including 50 last year. He already has six so far in 2025.
He will presumably move around to various positions for the M’s, perhaps doing some pinch running as well. He still has an option remaining, so he could be easily sent back down to the minors if Moore gets healthy relatively quickly.
As for Santos, it was reported last week that he would be undergoing surgery to repair cartilage in his right knee. His exact timeline isn’t clear but this transfer to the 60-day IL indicates that the club expects him to be out beyond the middle of June.
Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images
I might be alone in this, but it’s always suspicious to me when a guy(Moore)who is usually under 110 OPS+ suddenly spikes to a 168 OPS+ in his walk year.
I say the same about New York’s Trent Grisham and I said the same thing last year about Jurickson Profar. Going from league average(or below)slugging to elite slugging in your platform year is very unusual.
Blame the verified PED cheaters for making me cynical, but suddenly becoming elite(almost on cue in your walk year)after years of being quite average is very strange.
It’s a 78-PA sample.
Dylan has always been quite streaky, and flashes right to the point of “wow, he’s so good he should be playing everyday.” And then cools off. That’s the perpetual pattern of his career.
I mean, would it be suspicious if it wasn’t a walk year? The implication you’re making is nonsensical.
Reality is he’s just mashing lefties so far this year. 5 HR in 33 PAs as against lefties so far – with 4 of those coming on the road in 18 PAs.
It’s just small sample size noise coming from a couple really good games against lefties on the road.
And if you want to be pedantic, if there’s one thing DMo has always been elite at, it is hitting lefties on the road: his career slash line in those situations is 273/384/525.
I think this has more to do with the new bats than PEDs
We knew Samad was coming the way he’s been hitting and running in Tacoma.
He represents the best, and last, of their MLB-ready utility depth.
It’s good to see him get the call, I just wish it was under better circumstances.
Well, there’s one left in Locklear. And with Solano doing so poorly, I expect they’ll call him up, too.
I think we’re more likely to see Tellez DFA’s before Solano.
Solano costs more, has played less, and can play 3 positions.
Solano’s OPS is .267 in only 10 fewer AB than Tellez, whose OPS is 400 points higher. Solano’s OPS+ is -19. Tellez has an OPS+ of 102. I agree about position flexibility, but Solano is epically awful and a sunk cost is still a sunk cost. Solano’s the one who needs to go to AAA, if he’d accept that at his age.
When you’re looking at two struggling players with so few PAs, OPS and OPS+ don’t really matter. It’s things like positional flexibility, recent history, and yes, salary, that are going to influence decisions.
Both of them are striking out a lot, Neither of them have a single multi-hit game. Solano has been used in a platoon as has Tellez, but he hit RHPs just fine last season.
All things considered, Solano likely has the edge.
The only think I can’t understand is why there hasn’t been more complaints about Tellez. He hasn’t been good since 2022. Apart from the Toronto series, this year hasn’t been an exception (so far).
Fair enough. Both should be gone in favor of Locklear and Rivas (when Moore returns). As for why people like Tellez, I think it’s the Bucky Jacobsen/Dae-Ho Lee/Daniel Vogelbach thing of rooting for the jolly big fat guy. That’s all I can figure.
Rivas is giving them excellent PAs. He makes pitchers work and gets on base. He also offers excellent defense and can play short. Right now, he has to favored over both Taylor and Bliss.
I think you’re right about Tellez. Those are good comparatives.
The big question for me is if we’ll see Locklear or Raley at first when Robles returns. Perhaps both in a platoon. Locklear has been loud lately in Tacoma, so we might see him fairly soon.
I agree on Rivas. That’s why I thought he should stay up with the M’s, even when Moore gets back. Sorry if unclear.
Solano does not play 3 positions. He’s strictly a 1B and is worse both offensively and defensively than Tellez. Solano played I believe 1 game at 2B last year in extra innings and Mariners FO even said when they signed him he would not be an option at 2B but could see time at 3B. They have yet to use him anywhere else and at his age and limitations right now it is highly unlikely he would. Hes been awful this year in the field and Locklear bats RH so I doubt they would platoon him with another RH. More likely see Locklear and Tellez platoon with Raley mainly playing OF. Tellez at least has power and is a threat to knock in a runner who can be a LH bat off the bench. Solano has 5 hits and 1 RBI this year.
You’re missing the point.
He can play three positions if necessary. and the bigger problem is that Tellez isn’t producing as the strong side of a platoon.
They’re not going to ask more of Solano. But all things considered, they’re more likely to keep him around on the bench, at least for the time being. I’ve seen many fans calling for and assuming he’s the next to go, and I don’t think that’s likely.
Nobody should think Seattle is content with Tellez in a platoon. There’s a good chance Locklear displaces him (soon), but at the latest, I would assume there’s a good chance Raley goes back to first and platoons first with one of Moore/Locklear/Solano.
Much will likely depend on how Locklear handles RHPs.
I’m not convinced Solano can play 1 position, much less 3. Tellez is clearly a much better first baseman than 37-year-old Solano. I wouldn’t want to see Solano at 2b or 3b. Ever.
You are also missing the point.
Tellez shouldn’t be the first baseman. Not in a bench role, and most certainly not in the role he currently has. Getting rid of Solano (before Tellez) suggests Tellez should remain the first baseman.
For anyone reading this, ask yourselves who Seattle is more likely to keep for a bench role. This isn’t about a regular role.
Is Seattle more likely to DFA the guy making 3.5m and can play three positions in a pinch (you can hate his glove all you want, but the reality is he was brought here in part because of his flexibility), or the guy who plays one position that’s less important defensively, can’t hit and is making 1.5m?
Then there’s the fact that Raley may very well return to 1B when Robles returns and would need a RHH to platoon with.
I want them both gone, but it’s not my money. Anyone know Locklear’s splits this year in Tacoma? Could he play all the time?
I’ve been following him carefully. His last three games haven’t been great, but overall he has been hitting well in Tacoma. The Ks are way done over the last 16 games.
He doesn’t have splits. He’s actually hitting RHPs slightly better..
The power hasn’t really been there as the K% has come down, so maybe they’re waiting for him to figure that out.
Raley is out for probably a couple months. Solano will never play anything other than 1B and has played it worse than Tellez. As bad as you say Tellez has been he at least has been the better hitter between the two and offers a LH bat off the bench. If Locklear gets called up I would like them to play him regularly but would rather have the LH Tellez that offers some power rather than Solano who offers nothing.
Raley will likely be back around the same time as Robles.Maybe a little earlier.
Worth noting Solano has a 4-gane hitting streak in play and nothing about his defense is definitive. He absolutely could play another position in a pinch.
Think whatever you want, but don’t be surprised if Tellez goes before Solano.
Are you still DFAing Tellez over Solano? One guy is batting .278 with RISP and the other has 1 hit. Solano is unplayable right now. Tellez has almost as many hits in the last two games as Solano all year and Tellez only started 1 of the games.
I don’t know how to make this more clear: neither should be the regular first baseman and Rowdy hitting bad Texas pitching the other night, along with everyone else, didn’t change my opinion.
Solano stays (,longer) for a bench role. At some point, we should see Locklear or an external option for the regular role.
I think you’ve made your point clear. I just don’t think everyone agrees with you. And with Rowdy getting the game-winning hit last night, there’s a decent possibility that they’re right (even though I agree that both should be chalked up to sunk costs and jettisoned).
I was responding to slund24, but I’ll add a little more….
The situation could very well be different in 4-6 weeks. But right now, they really can’t DFA anyone. This all circles back to my original point: Solano isn’t likely getting DFA’d anytime soon.
And I don’t hate Tellez. I would be thrilled if he gets on track and is productive. Same with Solano. It would make for more difficult decisions when Moore, Raley and Robles return.
I try to look at everything rationally. It’s not as simple as it seems. But it’s a little funny when people cherry-pick a single-game to support their argument. Everyone teed off on Texas the other night. It was Tellez’s first multi-hit game. I don’t think that changes anything for the Mariners’ front office.
That said, I spaced something in my last comment. Raley is probably the most likely option for regular first base duties once both he and Robles are healthy. If there’s a plan, or belief, that’s probably it.
For now, it’s wait-and-see.
At this point—although we’re barely a month in—I’d like to see them make the same bold (and correct) move they did with Haniger and just dfa Solano already and give Locklear another shot. He and Samad have been putting in some good work down at Cheney and it’d be nice to see him rewarded for it as well.
Tellez has less value than Solano.
Solano has barely played, but can play 3 positions.
Tellez will almost certainly go before Solano.
I think you’re overrating Solano’s positional flexibility. Being able to play 2B and 3B and being able to play them well are two completely different things. There’s a reason he’s made 17 appearances at 1B and just one at 3B this season.
I think you’re also discounting that Tellez would form the strong side of a platoon with Locklear. Swapping Solano for Locklear would be seamless, although both are likely on thin ice. Tellez at least has the ability to hit for power; that looks completely sapped from Solano’s game (not that he was ever a slugger anyway). Father time is catching up to Solano.
Nope.
Solano isn’t being asked to play regularly. He’s behind Mastrobuoni on the depth chart, but the ability to play second or third in a pinch is more than Tellez offers.
As far the strong side of a platoon goes…Tellez can’t hit RHPs! Why would they want him to continue in a platoon? There’s a good chance it will eventually be Raley back at first (when Robles returns) in which case they’ll want a RHH to platoon with him.
Solano may not stick around the entire season, either. All I’m saying is that Tellez is more likely to be DFA’d first.
@Feckless, that would be the right move. Whether that’s what this FO would do is always another story.
It’s still April and Seattle is without 6 key players: Kirby, Gilbert, Brash, Santos, Robles, and now Moore.
In the words of the great Perry Hill, “STOP IT!”
At least we’re looking at a Brash activation soon here.
Yeah, and the bullpen is clearly Seattle’s biggest area of weakness. Hobbs is a name to watch in Arkansas. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in the mix by June.
Yeah I’m getting a bit chagrined with all the late 3-run dingers our bullpen has been giving up in garbage time. I’m thinking Thornton is on thin ice right now…
Feels weird to say it, but I agree completely. It actually appears like the offensive will be competitive night in and night out.
Yeah it is wild: Mariners currently 4th in OBP, 6th in SLUG, 3rd in HR, 1st in BB, tied for 3rd in SB. Wacky stuff. Tripping out right now.
Now if we could just scratch out some league average pitching, maybe this team will get somewhere. /s
Wish it were Roy Hobbs, but 17 Ks in 10 innings is close. He’s already 25 and his minor league stats have been pretty good. Why is he still in AA?
We don’t particularly like sending pitchers to Tacoma. Obviously some have to pitch there, but the Rainiers’ roster is usually filled with depth while the guys ticketed for eventual big league work make a short pit stop. Kirby and Gilbert both only made 1 appearance in Tacoma, while Woo pitched 11 innings there. Miller never got there at all. Even young relievers our FO likes, such as Troy Taylor, barely get run there, as evidenced by his 5.1 IP in Tacoma before promotion.
Let’s go Samad! OOTP25 hero.
Some more bad news may be coming soon.
Seattle’s lack of outfield depth has already been tested with Robles, and now Moore, out. One more loss could be crippling.
Tightening up their depth was one of the biggest offseason failures, especially with relievers and outfielders.
Yeah….
*Not tightening up their depth.
Hopefully it won’t be tested further tonight.
Well Luke raley tweak his back in the batting cage and out of the lineup tonight.
Does anybody know why they keep sticking with Solano? He has looked so passive at the plate. I haven’t checked, but his EV’s look like they’re about -21 mph off the bat. Can they bring Locklear up ?
So Dylan Moore can come off the IL on April 5th or 6th? Not that long, especially with off days Monday April 28th and Thursday May 1st. I agree with the last comment on moving on from Solano. With Williamson now cemented at 3rd, his versatility is not as important, especially with how slow his bat is. Locklear is hitting in Tacoma, bring him up and play him against lefties.